Supporters of a special general convention within the Nepali Congress have said that there is no other option left now.
Organizing a press conference in Anamnagar, Kathmandu, on Friday, they demanded that a special general convention be convened on January 11 and 12.
Speaking at the press meet, leader Subas Pokharel said that since no alternatives remain now, the party must hold a special general convention.
“We believe the central leadership will fulfill its responsibility to hold a special general convention on January 11-12,” he said. “We want to make it clear that this demand should not be taken as a matter of anyone’s victory or defeat. Rather, it should be viewed as an opportunity to maintain party unity, safeguard internal democracy, and become accountable to the people. We humbly urge the party leadership to move the Nepali Congress forward with renewed energy, unity, and direction.”
Fifty-four percent of general convention delegates had submitted their signatures on October 15, demanding a special general convention.
Supporters of the special general convention had paused their campaign after assurances were given that a regular general convention would be held. However, since Thursday, party General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma have once again pushed for convening a special general convention.
“We had clearly warned when the schedule was made public that there would be no leeway to postpone the general convention by changing the dates,” Pokharel said. “In such a situation, the demand for a special general convention registered on October 15 will remain valid, and implementing it will become the party’s mandatory duty.”
He added that a special general convention is no longer a matter of choice.
“The Nepali Congress has no option left other than a special general convention. A special general convention is a special statutory right of the general convention delegates. It is not, and no longer remains, a matter of anyone’s choice,” he said. “If a democratic party like the Nepali Congress doesn’t abide by the binding provisions of its own statute, how can it maintain the moral ground to advocate the Constitution and the rule of law before citizens? Therefore, no one can be above the party statute. Complying with its mandatory provisions of the statute is the minimum responsibility of the party leadership.”
